ILOILO City – Authorities are considering stricter monitoring and interventions after students from La Paz National High School were caught loitering and engaging in inappropriate behavior inside the La Paz Cemetery.
The incident has raised concerns among local officials, school authorities, and parents, prompting discussions on preventive measures.
Councilor Frances Grace Parcon, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Women and Family, underscored the role of parents in guiding their children and instilling awareness of the consequences of their actions.
“Parents have a big role in ensuring that their children understand what they should and should not do. It is important for young people to be aware of the consequences of their actions,” Parcon said.
She also emphasized the need for sex education in schools to promote responsible behavior among students.
Parcon said she would coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to explore possible interventions.
La Paz National High School Principal Salvador Besares acknowledged previous reports about students frequenting the cemetery, noting that the issue had been addressed through the school’s Board of Discipline. However, he admitted that additional measures might be necessary in light of the latest incident.
Barangay officials of Lopez Jaena Sur, where the cemetery is located, said student loitering has been a persistent problem. However, their monitoring capacity is limited, as only two barangay tanods are assigned to patrol the area.
In response, the school administration and cemetery management have committed to tightening security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring./PN
